Folding table



July 21, 1964 F. L. DUER 3,141,425

FOLDING TABLE Filed July 31, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l JEzzJeizZar fiedefi'r Z1, ,Daer

1191610 fig July 21, 1964 F. L. DUER 3,141,425

FOLDING TABLE Filed July 51, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent ()7 3,141,425 FOLDING TABLE Frederick L. Drier, 2810 Madison St., Bellwood, Ill. Filed July 31, 1963, Ser. No. 298,842 4 Claims. (Cl. 108120) This invention relates to improvements in that class of tables generally characterized in the industry as folding or foldable, more particularly, to a table whose top and legs can be conveniently and quickly moved or swung from opened, serving or set-up position to a so-called folded and/ or relative compact form whereby to facilitate storage thereof in confined and out-of-the-way areas, and by the same token, as easily and conveniently adjusted or moved from a folded to an open or set-up position.

It is an object of the invention to provide a table of the kind indicated in which the legs and top thereof are so constructed, arranged and interconnected that when it is in opened position, with movement of its top in a given manner, a motion initiating impulse or impelling force will be transmitted to its legs whereby they will be effectively started in a path of continued movement which when completed, will have resulted in their compact folding with the table top in juxtaposed and substantially parallel relation thereto.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a table with a combined leg motion initiating and guide means which, when the table is in a folded condition and when actuated concurrently with and by movement of the table top in a given direction, will pivot on a fixed fulcrum and thereby transmit an outward pressure or thrust to certain of the table legs suificient to impart a motion initiating impetus or force hereto, ensuring he free continued and guided movement thereof to a point whereupon the table legs will be arranged in a predetermined and movement limited unfolded or open relation with the table top in serving position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table construction of the above stated character wherein the aforesaid combined leg motion initiating and guide means will afford a bracing action which will ensure the retention of the table legs in their opened or operative positions and an advantageous strengthening of the thus set-up table.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a table whose construction includes a table top receiving and supporting sub frame which will permit the mounting and securing of table tops of diflerent shapes and sizes thereon, and will assure their firm and positive support against accidental tipping or similar undesirable deficiencies.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, advantages and meritorious teachings of my invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosure thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the form of the invention presented herein is precise and what is now considered to be the best mode of embodying its principles, but that other modifications and changes may be made in specific embodiment without departing from its essential features.

In the drawings: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of my improved table frame (or table) in its folded and compact condition with 3,14IAZ5 Patented July 21, 1964 a table top, shown in dot-ted lines, mounted on and secured to the top receiving and supporting sub frame.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the table in its setup or serving position.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in elevation taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section, partly in elevation, taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

FIGURE 5 is an end elevation of the table frame, with a table top shown in dotted lines and mounted thereon and wherein the table top receiving and supporting sub frame is shown moved to a position which will have transmitted an initial impulse or force to certain of the table legs, as'and when it is desired to open or set-up the same.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5, but wherein a second positioning of certain of the table frame legs is shown as they are moved to their opened or set-up positions, and,

FIGURE 7 is a like view, but wherein said certain table legs are shown in fully opened or set-up position, plus having the lower portions thereon broken away.

Referring in detail to the drawings, my improved table, or specifically stated, table frame generally comprises relatively paired and spaced legs 1 fixedly interconnected at their upper ends by welding or other suitable means with a horizontal tubular metal supporting member 2 disposed transversely thereof having tis opposite ends extended therebeyond; a frame 3 of substantially inverted U-shaped form; a table top receiving and supporting frame 4, and a combined guide and motion imparting or initiating member 5, all hereinafter more fully described.

The legs 1, of complemental form and lengths, are preferably, though not necessarily, made of tubular metal stock having their upper end portions flattened, as at 6, and their lower portions bent or disposed outwardly, as indicated at 7.

The horizontal supporting member 2, as stated above, spans the flattened upper ends 6 of the paired legs and is fixedly connected thereto by welding, at 8, its opposite ends being extended slightly therebeyond. It will be noted that whereas said member has been described as tubular, it may be solid, i.e., a rod, etc.

Additional legs are provided to the table frame by means of the inverted U-shaped frame 3 whose opposite and vertical sides (legs) 9 are spaced and correspond in form to that of the legs 1, the lower portions thereof being bent or disposed outwardly as are the legs 1.

The legs 1 and 9 are pivotally interconnected intermediately of their ends adjacent the points of their outward bending by a rod 10 spanning the same and engaged therethrough. Thus, at times, these legs are pivoted or moved into a substantially X-shaped form, that is, as and when the table is in its set-up or serving position.

In order that the frame 3 may be received within or between the legs 1 and supporting member 2, as when the table frame is in its folded condition, shown in FIG- URES 1 and 4 of the drawings, its basal or body portion 9 and the legs 9, or sides, are of a lesser combined width; also, the height or length of said frame 3 is such that when in folded position, its basal or body portion 9' will be in substantially parallel and slightly spaced relation to the supporting member 2, the purpose of which is hereinafter described.

To permit the mounting of a table top, shown in dotted lines and indicated by the numeral Ill, of suitable shape and size on the table frame, a receiving and supporting frame 4- preferably of rectangular form and made of tubular metal stock, is provided. One side thereof is formed by inturned and opposed end portions which are pivotally or rotatably engaged over and with the adjacent extended ends of the horizontal supporting member 2 (see FIGURES 1, 2 and 3). Holes, indicated at 12, are formed in the frame whereby table top securing bolts or screws may be engaged therethrough.

In order to provide means for effectively guiding and limiting the extent of movement of the body portion 9' of the frame 3, with relation to the legs 1, as when the table frame is adjusted to open or folded positions (see FIGURES 1 and 2) an elongated closed loop combined guide and motion imparting or initiating bracket or member 5 having flat and relatively parallel opposite sides rigidified throughout their lengths as at 5', is disposed transversely and intermediately of the receiving and supporting frame. One end thereof is swingably or pivotaily engaged about an adjacent portion of the support ing member 2, while its remaining end is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the inner or under side of the opposite side of said tabie top receiving and supporting frame. As shown in the drawings, the body portion 9' of the inverted U-shaped frame 3 is slideably received in or between the fiat and parallel sides of the member 5. Therefore, the extent of its movement and that of the legs 9 in either of two directions will be positively limited.

In usage of my improved foldable table frame, assuming that it has been provided with a suitable table top and is in closed or folded condition (FIGURES 1 and 4) to open or move it to a set-up or serving position, as shown in FIGURE 2, the now downward portion of the table top 11 is grasped and swung outwardly and upwardly thereby correspondingly moving the receiving and supporting frame 4 and the looped guide member 5. Concurrently with such movement, the member 5 will pivot on its fixed point of fulcrum, i.e., the support member 2. In so doing, it will transmit a motion initiating outward pressure or thrust to the adjacent and lower arranged body portion 9 of the inverted U-shaped frame 3 causing its legs 9 to pivot outwardly, as shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. With continued outward and upward swinging of the table top 11, the body portion W of said frame 3 will be moved to the position, or approximate position, shown in FIGURE 6 where the frame will have passed the dead center of its pivotal connection at with the table frame legs ll. Thereupon, and with continued upward swinging of the table top, said body portion 9 will be caused to move to that position shown in FIGURE 7 where it will be checked or stopped by its abutting engagement with that end of the looped guide member 5 fixedly connected to the outer side of the table top receiving and supporting frame. At such point, the table top 11 will be arranged in a horizontal plane ready for serving usage.

To fold the table to its closed or folded portion, the top 11 is grasped in proximity to the body portion 9' of the inverted U-shaped frame 3 and is drawn outwardly and upwardly. Thereby, said frame is caused to pivot on or at its connection 10 with the legs 1, causing the body portion 9 thereof to be moved or slid in the guide member 5 to a point beyond dead center of its pivotal connection to the position shown in FIGURE 5 from where it will move, with continued and now downward movement of the table top, to a completely folded position and compact condition, as shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, with the table top in substantially parallel relation to the legs l and 9.

With the table in folded condition or position, it will be seen that the outwardly disposed portions of the legs 1 and 9 will support it in vertical position, hence, facilitating storage thereof.

I claim:

1. A table comprising:

(a) relatively paired spaced legs,

(17) a rod disposed transversely of and fixedly connected to the upper ends of the paired spaced legs,

(0) a frame of inverted substantially U-shaped form the leg portions of which are pivotally connected intermediately of their ends to corresponding portions of the spaced paired legs and the upper and body portion arranged in a plane substantially parallel to and below that of said rod,

(d) a table top receiving and supporting frame having one side thereof pivotally mounted on said rod, and,

(e) a combined guide and motion imparting member having a way therein and therethrough disposed transversely of an intermediate portion of the receiving and supporting frame having one end swingably mounted on the rod and its remaining end fixedly mounted on the opposite side of said receiving and supporting frame slideably receiving the upper and body portion of the U-shaped frame in its way.

2. A table comprising:

(a) relatively paired and parallel spaced legs,

(b) a supporting member disposed transversely of and fixedly connected to the upper ends of the paired spaced legs,

(c) a frame of inverted substantially U-shaped form the leg portions of which are pivotally interconnected intermediately of their ends to corresponding portions of the spaced paired legs and the upper and body portion thereof arranged in a plane substantially paralel to and below that of said supporting member,

(d) a table top receiving and supporting frame having one side thereof pivotally mounted on said supporting member, and, I

(e) an elongated closed loop combined guide and motion imparting member having flat and relatively parllel opposite sides disposed transversely of an intermediate portion of the receiving and supporting frame having one end swingably mounted on the supporting member and its remaining end fixedly mounted on the opposite side of said receiving and supporting frame slideably receiving the upper and body portion of the U-shaped frame therein.

3. A table comprising:

(a) relatively paired and parallel spaced legs,

(b) a supporting member disposed transversely of and fixedly connected to the upper ends of the paired spaced legs,

(c) a frame of inverted substantially U-shaped form the leg portions of which are pivotally connected intermediately of their ends to corresponding portions of the spaced paired legs and the upper and body portion thereof arranged in a plane substantially parallel to and below that of said supporting member,

(d) a table top receiving and supporting frame having one side thereof pivotally mounted on said supporting member, and,

(e) a combined guide and motion imparting member coinsisting of an elongated body having closed opposite ends and flat and relatively parallel opposite sides disposed transversely of an intermediate portion of the receiving and supporting frame, one end thereof being pivotally connected to and on the supporting member and its remaining end fixedly connected to and embracing the opposite side of said receiving and supporting frame slideably and snugly receiving the upper and body portion of the U-shaped frame therein.

4. A table comprising:

(a) relatively paired and parallel spaced legs,

(b) a non-rotatable supporting member disposed transversely of and fixedly connected to the upper ends of the paired spaced legs having its opposite ends extended laterally beyond the adjacent legs,

5 (c) a frame of inverted substantially U-shaped form the leg portions of which are pivotally connected intermediately of their ends to corresponding portions of the spaced paired legs and the upper and body portion thereof arranged in a plane substantially parallel to and below that of said supporting member, (d) a table top receiving and supporting frame having one side thereof pivotally supported by and from the extended ends of said supporting member, and, (e) means endwise swingable with respect to the supporting member having its remaining end fixedly engaging the opposite side of the receiving and supporting frame and slideably receiving the upper and body portion of the U-shaped frame therein beyond and inwardly of its fixed engagement with said opposite side of the receiving and supporting frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 606,845 Simmons July 5, 1898 628,712 Hoshour July 11, 1899 2,285,597 Lutz et a1. June 9, 1942 2,310,521 Goodman Feb. 9, 1943 3,031,243 Crevol Apr. 24, 1962 3,103,900 Lippman Sept. 17, 1963 

1. A TABLE COMPRISING: (A) RELATIVELY PAIRED SPACED LEGS, (B) A ROD DISPOSED TRANSVERSELY OF AND FIXEDLY CONNECTED TO THE UPPER ENDS OF THE PAIRED SPACED LEGS, (C) A FRAME OF INVERTED SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED FORM THE LEG PORTIONS OF WHICH ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED INTERMEDIATELY OF THEIR ENDS TO CORRESPONDING PORTIONS OF THE SPACED PAIRED LEGS AND THE UPPER AND BODY PORTION ARRANGED IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO AND BELOW THAT OF SAID ROD, 